AT&T Made Nearly $775 Million in Wireless and Wireline Network Upgrades in Washington,... -- WASHINGTON, April 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

AT&T Made Nearly $775 Million in Wireless and Wireline Network Upgrades in Washington, DC Area From 2009-2011
Company remains committed to improving customers' experience

WASHINGTON, April 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- To improve customers' experience, including meeting surging demand for mobile Internet, AT&T* invested nearly $775 million in its Washington, DC area wireless and wireline networks from 2009 through 2011, resulting in significant improvements to the speed and reliability of its service in the nation's capital.

To further improve the customer experience, the company also announced that it is reallocating spectrum from the older, voice-centric 2G network to help add capacity to 3G mobile Internet cell sites. As part of that plan, AT&T is contacting select customers in the DC metro area who use 2G devices to provide them with more details, including options for upgrading their 2G handsets at no cost or low cost while keeping their mobile numbers.

This reallocation of spectrum is one way AT&T is helping address the looming spectrum crunch, an issue facing the entire wireless industry. AT&T's mobile Internet traffic doubled nationally from 2010 to 2011, and has increased 20,000 percent over the past five years.

During 2011, AT&T made nearly 1,400 wireless network upgrades in three key categories in the Washington, DC metro area. These enhancements include:

Deploying faster and more reliable fiber-optic connections to more than 725 cell sites.

Adding capacity – like adding lanes to a highway – with the addition of an extra layer of spectrum, or "carriers" to more than 625 cell sites.

"Investments in mobile Internet infrastructure will help drive economic growth and stimulate jobs," said J. Michael Schweder, president, AT&T Mid Atlantic. "Our ongoing investments in Washington, DC will give business, residents and visitors to the District and the region access to a more advanced mobile Internet experience."

In late 2011, AT&T also turned on 4G LTE in the greater Washington, DC area, which is capable of delivering mobile Internet speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G**. Even as 4G LTE expands, AT&T customers are able to enjoy widespread, ultra-fast and consistent 4G speeds on their compatible device as they move in and out of LTE areas. AT&T has two 4G networks that work together for customers, LTE and HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. With other carriers, when you travel outside of their LTE coverage area, you're on a much slower 3G network.

"We've made these investments because we're committed to improving service in the DC metro area," said Rob Forsyth, vice president and general manager for AT&T in greater Washington/Baltimore. "Today, AT&T customers in Washington, DC have access to the latest technology in our blazing-fast 4G LTE service. Our network allows customers to multi-task by simultaneously using voice and data, a huge advantage in a city where everyone is always on the go, doing several things at once."

In the coming year, AT&T plans to continue to expand and improve their wireless network throughout the Washington metro area.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update or revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.